Automatic gas cut-off.



PATENTED JUNE 30, 1903.

J. E. SEYMOUR. AUTOMATIC GAS GUT-OFF. APPLIoA'rIoN FILED nov. V'1.' 1903.

R0 MODEL.

55% 71g.; 61 ltoiue WW1/Lewes worum mo. msummn Patented June 30, 1903.

UNTTED STATES PATENT OEEIcE.

JOHN E. SEYMOUR, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO.

AUTOMATIC GAS CUT-OFF.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 732,124, dated June 30, 1903- Applioation filed November '7, 1902; Serial No. 130.37S. (No model.)

To all whom, t m/ctg/ concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN E. SEYMOUR, a citizen of the United States, residing at Columbus, in the countyof Franklin and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Automatic Gas Cut-Offs, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to the improvement of heat-controlled gas cut-olifs of that class in which a valve is controlled by the expansion and contraction of metal; and the objects of my invention are to provide, in connection witlta suitable forni of gas conductor, valve, and burner, improved means for automatically retaining the valve in an open position while the gas-pressure is sufficient to maintain a proper flame at the burner and to close said valve on a dangerous reduction of said gas-pressure and to produce certain improvements in details of construction, which willA be more fully pointed out hereinafter. These objects Iaccomplishin the manner illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure lis a plan View of a gas pipe, valve, and burner having' my improvement connected therewith. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view in elevation, showing the connection between the valve-locking bar and vexpansion -rod. Fig. 4 is a similar view showing a moditication in the manner of connecting said locking-bar and expansion-rod and Fig. 5 is a detail View in elevation of portions of the expansion-rodholding arm, showing the manner of adjustably connecting the sections of the same.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

l represents a suitably-arranged ordinary gas-supply pipe, one end of which terminates in the form ot' or is connected with a suitable gas-burner 2. Between the sections of the pipe 1 is interposed a valve-casing 3, in which is provided a valve fl, by means of which the supply of gas to the burner may be regulated. The valve et is provided with an outwardlyextending stem portion 4, from which projects a weight-arm 5, the latter consisting ot' pivotally-connected sections f and 5b, the

outer section 5b carrying a suitable weight 5C. The weighted arm thus provided is inclined upwardly from the valve-stem when the latter is in an open position, and that portion of said valve-stem which becomes its under side when in an open position is provided, as indicated in dotted lines at 6, witha socket or recess.

Connected principally with what we will call the inner end portion of the valve-casing 3 is one end of a forwardly or inwardly extending arm7, the latter preferably comprising sections 7a and 7, adjustably connected, as hereinafter described. 8 represents an expansion-rod which is preferably formed of brass or of other material capable ot a comparatively high degree of expansion and contraction. This rod has its inner end rigidly connected with the inner end of the arm 7 and its outer end formed, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3 of the drawings, with a tapering socket 9, which is adapted toreceive the pointed or correspondingly-shaped projection l0 on the inner end and lower portion of a valve-locking bar ll, which at a point above said projection 10 is pivoted to the arm 7, as shown at 12. This locking-bar 1l has its outer end provided on its upper side with an upwardly-projecting spur or pin 13, which is adapted when said outer end of the bar l1 is properly elevated andwhen the Valve 4 is in an open position to enter the socket or recess 6 of said valve-stem. The outer or forward end of the bar ll is, however, normally depressed to the position indicated in dotted lines in the drawings by gravity or gravity aided by a spring-strip 14, which has one end secured upon the arm 7 and its outer end portion bearing upon the upper side and outer portion of the bar 1l.

In order to provide a desirable adjustment of the expansion-rod, I may employ between the sections 7u and 7b of the arm 7 a thumbnut 15, from opposite sides of which project right and left hand screws 16, which enter correspondinglythreaded end openings in said arm-sections.

While in Figs. l and 2 of the drawings I have shown a socket connection between the bar ll and expansion-rod, I have in Fig. 4. of the drawings disclosed a modified connection of these parts, consisting in employing a pivotal connection, such as indicated at 17, between said eXpansion-rod and locking-bar. It will be observed that the expansion-rod is supported in such relative position with IOO the burner as to insure a desirable heating of saidrod from the liame at the burner.

Normally or when the burner is not in operation the connection of the expansion-rod 8 and the locking-bar 11, owing to the length of said rod, is not such Aas to exert sufficient end pressure on said locking-bar to raise the outer end of the latter untilits projection 13 is in engagement with the valve-stem, and the regulation of the contact between said rod and locking-bar may be effected by the turning of the thumb-nut 15.

In utilizing my device the valve is turned to the open position shown in the drawings and the gas ignited at the burner. The heat from the fiame at the burner being imparted to the expansion-rod, the latter will expand longitudinally, resulting in such end pressure on the bar 11 as 'to raise the outer end of the latter and cause the projection 13 to enter the socket 6 of the valve-stem, thus locking the Valve in the open position. When the gas is iirst ignited, however, and before sufcient expansion takes place, the valve may Abe held in an open position by turning the outer section of the weighted arm 5b back to the position indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2 of the drawings; but when the valve has .become locked through the medium of the bar this Weighted arm may have its outer section thrown outward to the position shown in full lines.

Assuming now that the gas-pressure from any cause is so reduced, automaticaliy or otherwise, as to cause the iiame at the burner to go down to a low point or to go entirely out, the reduction in' heat Will result in the contraction of the expansion-rod and in a consequent dropping of the bar 11 ont of engagement with the valve-stem and through action of the weighted arm 5 in said valve being immediately turned to a closed position. By this operation it will be readily understood that where gas is left burning in a furnace or stove or other gas-consuming burner the gas will be automatically cut off when the pressure thereof is sufficiently re` duced. As will be seen, my improved device will be of great utility incases where the gas-pressure is temporarily so reduced as to cause-the llame at the burner to be entirely extinguished.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is- 1. In an automatic gas cut-O, the combination with a gas-supply pipe, a burner connected therewith, a valve interposed in said pipe, said valve having an extension provided With a socket and a Weight-arm formed of jointed sections extending from said valve extension, of a locking-bar pivoted at one end and having 'a projection adapted to enter said valve extension socket and an expansion-rod having one of its ends connected with` one end of said locking-bar, substantially as specified.

2. In an automatic gas cut-off, the combination with a gas-supply pipe, a burner connected therewith, a valve interposed in said supply-pipe, said valve having an extension provided With a socket 6 and a weight-arm projecting from said valve extension, ofan arm 7 adjustable with reference to its length, a locking-bar pivotally connected with said arm at one end and having aprojection at its remaining end adapted to enter the valveextension socket and an expansion-rod con. nected at one end with said arm 7 and at its remaining end with said locking-bar, said expansion-rod being formed of material capable of being readily expanded by heat, substantially as specilied.

JOHN E. SEYMOUR.

In presence of A. L. PHELPs, W. L. MoRRoW. 

